Chapter 13

Levi and Petra sat down in silence after Erwin had left. The T.V. was on but again, neither person was interested in watching it. About fifteen minutes after the officers left, there was another knock on the door.

When Petra got up, Levi did as well. She looked at him before going to the door and checking the peephole.

"It's just my friends, Levi." The man nodded before standing a few steps behind her. He would need to meet her friends as well. As soon as Petra opened the door, she was swarmed with her friends and their worried voices. They surrounded the woman in a tight group hug and she laughed in delight at the love and concern they showed. They cared for her so much.

"Petra! I'm glad you're safe." Eld.

"Are you alright?" Gunther.

"I should have never left!" Oluo.

"Hi guys. I'm okay. And Oluo, it's not your fault. None of knew this would happen." Petra pulled away from the group and gestured at Levi. "This is Levi. He'll be staying with us for a few days. Levi, this is Oluo, Gunther and Eld." She introduced her three male friends in turn. Levi nodded at them and ingrained their names into his memory but didn't say anything. Gunther noticed that Levi was wearing a pair of pajamas he had left behind. They were a little big on him. The tall man didn't question why.

"So you going to tell us what happened?" Eld prodded, wanting to know. "You didn't tell us much on the phone."

"Can in wait until tomorrow? I'm really tired." Petra yawned, which emphasized her point.

"Fine but first thing you are telling us everything." Oluo demanded with a smile. He was relieved to see his friend okay. If anything had happened he would have never forgiven himself.

"I promise." Petra grinned and then stifled another yawn. "I hope you guys don't mind but Levi will be staying in the guest room. I hope some blankets and pillows on the living room floor will be okay?"

"That's completely fine. We'll talk to you tomorrow, alright?" Gunther responded. Petra nodded and walked away, tapping Levi on the shoulder. The man quietly followed the girl and entered the guest room while Petra grabbed the extra blankets and pillows for the boys.

Petra's friends were curious about Levi but he hadn't really seemed like the talkative type. They would be able to ask whatever questions they wanted of Petra tomorrow so they could wait. The men settled themselves in the living room by moving the couches to make space for the three of them before placing the stuff Petra had brought on the ground. It was not the first time they had slept like this so it wasn't a big deal.

The next morning Petra woke up with a gasp, her heart hammering in her chest thanks to a nightmare. She lay in her bed breathing heavily until she calmed down. In her dream, she had been back in the coffee shop. This time, Levi had been killed in front of her by King. The Titan gang's leader had laughed after murdering Levi then extended his blood covered hands towards her. The images of the dreamed scene made Petra's eyes water.

Petra didn't need to get up yet but she did anyway. She wouldn't be able to sleep now. The coffee shop would be closed for a while so she and her friends did not need to do anything until police finished up their investigation.

The bathroom was empty as no one else had gotten up yet and Petra was thankful. She wanted to take a long, hot shower. She loved how organized and clean her bathroom looked thanks to Levi. She noticed its cleanliness last night when she had brushed her teeth before bed. The ginger haired woman felt some embarrassment however, it hadn't been that dirty, had it? She tried to keep it clean. It was much better than any of the bathrooms at her friend's apartments for sure!

The woman finished up forty five minutes later and felt much more refreshed. Walking to the living room, she saw that her friends were still sleeping. Petra shook her head at the sight. She had heard them gossiping like a bunch of teenage girls last night and making up wild stories of what went on in the coffee shop. She hadn't been eavesdropping, they were just loud. They hadn't had a sleepover like this in some time. Life had gotten busy for them and it was nice to see them enjoying each others company like they used to. She had wanted to join in but she was too tired.

Petra quietly made her way into the kitchen to begin breakfast. She was ravenous and no doubt her house guests would be as well. She tried to make as little noise as possible but failed. Even so, everyone was in too deep a sleep to wake up.

The smell of pancakes and eggs was the first thing the men in the living room were aware of as they woke. Next was their friend's voice as she roused them.

"Morning everyone! I made breakfast so get your lazy butts up!"

"Ugh, too early." Oluo whined as he pressed his face deeper into his pillow.

"It's almost noon." Petra argued, hands on her hips. None of the men were looking at her to see her 'determined' pose.

"Early." Eld seconded with eyes closed, not moving an inch. Gunther made a sound but didn't move either. Normally even Petra herself would be like this but the nightmare had left her wide awake.

"Fine." Petra huffed, a little amused. "I guess I'll just eat it all myself."

"Good luck." One of the boys said and none of them moved. The shop was closed until further notice so no one really had to go anywhere so what was the point getting up?

Petra hesitantly knocked on the guest room door as she carried a tray of food. There was no answer. Biting her lip in indecision, she then opened the door. The woman didn't want to bother Levi but the food was already made and it was best eaten fresh. The ginger haired woman paused at the sight of the still sleeping man and changed her mind about waking him. He looked so peaceful in sleep. She placed the tray on a nightstand and left the room quickly.

Levi woke later to smell the lingering aroma of breakfast. He opened his eyes and noticed a tray of food beside him. Had Petra put it there? Faintly he heard a door slam closed. Had someone left or come inside?

The black-haired man allowed himself to lay in the bed in comfort and think. How long had it been since he felt this way? He was comfortable and clean, though he was bruised and sore all over. He realized her was very grateful to the Petra for giving him a brief respite from his shitty life on the streets. He knew it wouldn't last but he would enjoy it.

Stretching, the man finally forced himself out of the bed. Levi pulled the tray on his lap and his mouth watered at the fare before him. Pancakes, eggs, hash browns and juice. There was a small container of syrup on the tray as well. He ate slowly, savoring the food and finished it all. Somehow, even though the food was cold, Levi felt like this was one of the best meals of his life.

Levi was still dressed in the same clothes from last night. He had nothing else to wear and his old clothes, even though they had been washed, were unappealing to him right now. They were ripped and frayed in many places and a reminder of what he had endured.

Stopping before the door into the hallway, Levi took a deep breath. He was nervous. There were a lot of people out there and he wasn't very good with socializing. What if Petra's friends disliked him? Forcing himself to face his fear, the man opened the door and stepped outside.

Petra was sitting and watching T.V. It was some cartoon or something. The tall, dark-haired man, Gunther, sat beside her. Oluo sat at the woman's feet, pointing and saying something about the show they watched. Eld was the fair-haired man, Levi remembered and he saw him pulling out items from plastic bags. He had gone shopping.

"Good afternoon, Levi! Or more like evening since it's almost four but you get it." Eld grinned as he noticed Levi. Petra and her two other friends turned to him as well, also giving him their own greetings. The older man seemed startled to get such an enthusiastic response from everyone. "Come over here. Petra had me go and get a few things for you but we need to make sure they fit."

Levi was hesitant but he did as the younger man wanted. When he neared her turned to the ginger-haired woman and spoke.

"Petra, have you told them what happened last night?"

"Yeah, I did." She said.

"Then why…" Levi began before being interrupted.

"We don't blame you if that's what you're thinking. In the end you helped our friend so that puts you in our good books." Gunther revealed. "If Petra trusts you then so do we."

Levi was confused. He put their good friend in a dangerous situation and her friends still wanted to help him?

"So… Did you really beat King?" Oluo asked, his voice almost awe-stuck. Levi nodded and a grin broke out of the white-haired man's face. "That is so awesome! Could you maybe teach me how to fight?"

"If you going to teach him then you're gonna have to teach me too." Eld added.

"And us!" Petra pointed at herself and then Gunther and everyone laughed. Levi just stared at them, at the easy camaraderie they had and their attempt to include him.

The rest of the day was spent with the boys asking Levi his version of the story. They didn't ask him anything about his past and the man was grateful. Petra must have talked to them about that. The day flew by and it was night again. Though Levi had already slept a long time, he felt tired. Petra offered to let him stay over once more.

This night, he slept in a new set of clothes and was able to brush his teeth with a new toothbrush thanks to Petra and her friends, who also stayed another night.

The next day, Levi woke earlier than before. He stretched and found that it was ten-o-clock. Leaving his room, he found Petra already up with the door open in her room. She was putting on socks, with her purse beside her. Levi knocked on the door, not wanting to enter her room without permission.

"Oh, Levi!" Petra started as she saw the man at her door. "You're awake."

"Yeah. Are you going somewhere?" He asked.

"Just to the store nearby. I'm just going to grab some groceries and a few other things and be right back, unless you guys want to eat breakfast for dinner again. It will take me no longer than an hour or two."

"Do you need any help?" Levi found himself asking.

"No, no! It won't take me long. Just stay here and relax. See you soon!" Petra hurried out the door with keys and purse in hand. Levi was likely still sore so it would be better if he stayed home. He watched her as she tried to stealthily creep past the living room, as to not wake the sleeping men. She waved at him before opening and gently shutting the door.

Looking around the apartment, Levi made a decision. He wanted to be some use. The short man eyed the three sleeping figures on the floor. They had slept enough, hadn't they? Petra had allowed them in her home and cooked for them. It was time for everyone to make themselves useful.

Petra came back, hands full with grocery bags. The doorman helped her carry them up to her apartment, for which she was grateful. She sighed in relief as she saw the door to her home. She would put away her stuff and then sit and watch some T.V.

The woman frowned at the thump she heard from her apartment. The doorman didn't notice and placed her bags on the ground before taking his leave. As Petra fished around her purse for her keys she could hear the faint sound of a vacuum. Had the boys made a mess already? God, she could never leave them alone for a few hours!

Petra opened the door to an astonishing sight. The boys were awake and cleaning. All three of them. She could see Levi off to the side in her kitchen, cleaning the counters with a rag. None of them had noticed Petra yet, frozen with her eyes wide.

"What are you guys doing?" Petra's voice stopped the men in their tracks and they turned to her.

"Cleaning." Eld responded and dropped the duster he had in his hand to go over to her. He grabbed the grocery bags in her hands and brought them inside.

"You guys… You really didn't have to."

"And we sort of weren't going to but your new friend is a little scary when he's determined to get us to do something." Oluo laughed a little sheepishly as he walked behind Petra and grabbed some of the bags outside the door. Gunther continued vacuuming but gave her a wry smile.

"It was Levi's idea so come on in and relax. You won't be doing a thing today." Eld revealed, glancing at Levi. The shorter man nodded approvingly.

Petra broke out of her shocked state and laughed, thanking them all.

As Petra put away her purse in her room, she received another call. She looked at the caller ID and found that it was Erwin.

"Hi Erwin." Petra greeted warmly, sitting down on the bed to remove her socks.

"Hi Petra." Erwin greeted in return. "How is everything with your house guests?"

"It's actually been pretty good. Levi's got the boys cleaning. And cleaning well, I might add. They won't let me help them at all, even to cook! I'm a little worried about that."

"Really? That is an amazing feat."

"Yeah! He would fit well with everyone here. Oluo is starstruck since he beat King in a fight and both Eld and Gunther seem to like him as well."

"Well, I'm happy to see that everyone seems to like him already. Levi's actually the reason I'm calling right now."

"... Really?"

"Don't sound so worried. This is a good thing. Listen…"

That night, there was a knock at the door. Petra already knew who it was and opened it up. Erwin had arrived, and not in uniform. She greeted him and turned to call Levi over from where he was scolding the boys about how to properly sweep the floor.

"Erwin would like to speak with you alone, if that's okay." Petra explained when Levi came towards them. The woman could see the man tense but he nodded. Trusting Petra, Levi followed Erwin out the door.

An hour later, Levi came back. Petra could tell nothing from the man's face. She and her friends were curious what they talked about but they refrained from asking. Petra knew a little but Erwin had been hesitant to explain too much to her. Levi was quieter after his and Erwin's conversation. The short man seemed to be in deep thought often.

Later than night when everyone had gone to bed, Levi knocked on Petra's door as she was getting ready to sleep.

"Hi." Levi said almost, embarrassedly. "Ah, Erwin offered me a job... As a night guard... For a museum."

"Congratulations!" Petra quietly squealed and hugged him. She pulled away quick but she saw the almost tiny smile on Levi's face. She knew what Erwin offering him a job meant.

"Did he tell you?" Levi began softly. "About me?"

"No, he didn't. He wanted to respect your privacy. I don't know anything other than he found something about you in the files his father was working on. One of them was yours." Reminded of his father, Erwin had gone through the things the older Smith had left behind. In a box of old documents, Erwin found a case file with one Levi Ackerman. He had instantly recognized the dark haired man in the file. Levi's case had been sent over to his father because new evidence proved Levi Ackerman had not been the culprit of the crime he had been accused of. It turned out several new arrivals to the city might actually be. After Edmund Smith had passed away, the case had been left forgotten. Until now.

Petra knew that once the case was reopened, Levi would likely be a free man. And maybe he would talk about what happened one day.

"Don't you want to know?"

"... I do. But I respect you. I want to know but you don't have to tell me. It's not my business."

"Thank you. And thank you for letting me stay here."

Levi lay in bed that night and contemplated his life. He wondered how his life had changed so dramatically for the better in just a few days. Erwin had told him Fritz had been arrested. A USB device was found on King that contained recordings and evidence of his dealings with the mayor. In case Fritz ever tried to get rid of him, King wanted to make sure he went down too. Too bad it never occurred to the Titan that he would get arrested and USB would be viewed.

Erwin also told Levi that Petra was going to allow him to stay at her place until he could support himself. There was tons of paperwork to do so Levi could prove who he was and get ID and his life back. It would take time. But that was okay.

Everyone would know Levi wasn't a killer. That he hadn't killed his two best friends, the man and a woman he felt were his siblings as they had known each other so long. Isbael, Farlan and Levi had grown up in a shitty neighborhood with shitty parents but they had made something of themselves. It hadn't been Levi who killed his friends in a jealous rage because they were sleeping together. The murderers had really been several men from a rival company that blamed the three friends for it going under.

Levi's eyes misted as he thought about his two friends. He hoped he never let Petra, Erwin and their friends down like he had his own. Levi hadn't been able to save them and still blamed himself. If he had just been faster in getting home that day... Or even just a little bit later if no matter what his friends could not be saved. One day he would have to forgive himself for what happened but it was still too early. Isabel and Farlan would never blame him, he knew, but it was still hard not to blame himself.

Levi owed Petra and her friends so much. He would prove himself to be a good man for them. They had given him everything he had longed for these past years, trust most of all. For the first time since the incident, Levi felt like he belonged somewhere, like he was home. He was hopeful for the future.

Yay, this is finally finished! I made the commitment to finally finish it so its now done. I've edited it again so hopefully I fixed everything.

Sorry for such a long wait but here is the final chapter. I think its been like a year and a half since I started publishing and two and a half years since I actually started writing it!

Thank you to everyone who read and/or reviewed this story. Your interest and comments made me really happy. :D